Helping Foodbank Australia support people in need

One million litres of milk will be going to people in need under an historic new partnership between Foodbank Australia and the Australian dairy industry, which is being supported by the Australian Government.

The Australian Government provided $4 million over the next four years to Foodbank Australia in this year’s budget to ensure the organisation known as ‘the pantry of the welfare sector’ could build partnerships with food growers, producers and manufacturers, like the dairy industry.

The Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, today launched the Collaborative Supply Program for Milk at Foodbank’s warehouse in Yarraville.

The program will provide one million litres of milk to welfare organisations across Australia every year to go to the kitchens of people in need.

“Milk is one of the key staples much sought after by welfare agencies,” Ms Macklin said.

“It’s fantastic to see Foodbank and the dairy industry working together to make sure that vulnerable Australians are getting this daily staple that many of us take for granted.”

Across Australia there are 2,500 welfare agencies that rely on Foodbank to provide food to families and individuals who would otherwise have little or nothing to eat some nights.

Last year, Foodbank distributed more than 21 million tonnes of food across Australia. This equates to more than 28 million meals provided to Australians.

The Collaborative Supply Program for Milk is the first time an entire industry has come together to collaborate on a whole-of-industry strategy to support Foodbank.

“This partnership shows what can be achieved when industry leaders and not-for-profit organisations work together,” Ms Macklin said.

“The Government is proud to be working in partnership with Foodbank and the dairy industry to secure food supplies so that vulnerable people have the opportunity to have food on their table each night.”